Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art Acquired!

As Yanri's heavy voice fell, the feminine Northern Dark True Qi within his body erupted, instantly turning the entire alleyway bone-chillingly cold. The aura of a Great Heavenly Rank expert was laid bare.

"So... so strong!"

Chang Xuanling felt a chill run through her entire body; her pupils constricted and her hair stood on end. She trembled, "Could such powerful internal energy be the Mid-Heaven Realm?!"

"No."

Chang Haoling pulled Chang Xuanling into his arms, where she shivered uncontrollably, unable to utter a word.

Chang Haoling tried to feign composure, but he couldn't manage it. With a face full of terror, he said, "This pressure—I have only ever felt it from our master and the Underworld Emperor. He is likely not just a Mid-Heaven Realm expert, but one at the Great Heavenly Rank!"

Before Chang Haoling's voice had even faded, Zhu Youning had already arrived beside them in an instant, his long sword resting against Chang Xuanling's neck before they even realized it.

Since Chang Xuanling had repeatedly spoken out of turn, she was naturally the first target for his blade.

"Stop!"

Seeing the glinting edge about to pierce her skin and Chang Xuanling in imminent danger, Chang Haoling reached out in a panic to intervene, only to be sent flying by a shockwave of True Qi radiating from Zhu Youning's body.

Zhu Youning's sword remained suspended over Chang Xuanling's neck, a thin line of fresh blood already appearing on her skin.

Chang Xuanling glanced fearfully at Zhu Youning's mask. Despite the icy coldness against her throat, she dared not move a muscle.

"What? Neither of you wants to live?"

Chang Haoling scrambled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Hearing Zhu Youning's low, gravelly voice, he began to think rapidly.

Before he had even made a move, the mere protective True Qi had sent him flying and vomiting blood. This mysterious man calling himself "Yanri" was undoubtedly a Great Heavenly Rank expert.

Though they were known as Black and White Impermanence and possessed a fearsome reputation, they were at best at the Mid-Star Rank. Before a Great Heavenly Rank expert, they were nothing more than ants.

Even if they fought with everything they had and sacrificed their lives, they could never defeat this "Yanri."

Since they couldn't win, they had no choice but to kneel and beg for mercy. As long as they could keep their wretched lives, what did dignity matter?

To secure a path to survival, Chang Haoling decisively threw himself onto the ground and began to beg Zhu Youning bitterly.

"Senior, spare us! We siblings were blind and failed to recognize a true master. We have offended you with our words, and we hope you will not hold a grudge against us lesser beings. Please, spare our lives!"

Chang Haoling kowtowed to Zhu Youning repeatedly, putting on a display of utter wretchedness.

He was gambling.

Since this mysterious masked man hadn't killed them immediately and had instead spoken to them, it meant that in the eyes of this mysterious person, they likely still had some utility.

"You are clever, and you know your place."

Zhu Youning glanced at Chang Haoling, then looked at Chang Xuanling before him. She was still hiding her Spirit Edge Dagger, clearly intending to wait for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack.

"Unlike her, always thinking of playing little tricks."

Before the words had even faded, a sudden "bang" rang out. Before Chang Haoling could react, his younger sister, Chang Xuanling, had taken a heavy blow to the abdomen and was kicked flying.

"Little sister!"

Chang Haoling watched helplessly as his sister was sent soaring through the air. He clenched his fists in secret, but dared not make a single move on the surface.

He could only continue to smile obsequiously at Zhu Youning, "Senior is right to teach her a lesson. My sister is ignorant; I beg for your magnanimity."

After speaking, Chang Haoling shouted at Chang Xuanling, "Little sister, you have offended Senior! Why don't you hurry up and apologize?!"

Chang Xuanling crashed heavily to the ground. Upon hearing Chang Haoling's words, she immediately understood his intent. She quickly knelt and began kowtowing like a machine.

"Senior, it was I who was blind! Please, Senior, spare my life!"

Zhu Youning watched their performance and sneered inwardly.

He was well aware of the nature of these two and their capacity for forbearance.

People like them, who could endure so much and possessed such ruthless hearts, were prone to achieving great things. If they weren't killed, they would easily become a major threat in the future.

However, Zhu Youning did not fear them becoming a threat later, and besides, he could not kill them just yet.

After all, there is a specialty in every trade.

If he wanted to steal the first volume of the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill from Zhu Youwen, he would still have to rely on these two treacherous, cunning wretches.

"You want to live?"

"Yes! Yes! We still want to live!" Chang Haoling and Chang Xuanling nodded repeatedly.

"Then be good and hand it over. There are some things you have no business possessing."

"Things?" Chang Haoling and Chang Xuanling exchanged glances, both feeling puzzled.

Unable to think of what it could be, Chang Haoling tentatively asked in a low voice, "Dare I ask, Senior, what exactly are you referring to?"

Zhu Youning said, "The manual."

Chang Haoling was startled and immediately pleaded, "Senior, we siblings do not possess the manual for the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill. Although Zhu Youwen is our master, he never imparted it to us."

Upon hearing the word "manual," Chang Haoling's first thought was the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill.

After all, the only manual that a Great Heavenly Rank expert would value and that concerned them was the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill.

But Zhu Youning shook his head.

"It is not the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill that I want."

Hearing this, Chang Haoling grew even more flustered. He racked his brains, yet could not think of any martial arts manual he possessed that would catch the eye of this Lord Yanri.

Thousand Corpse Ten Thousand Poison Palm?

No, although this technique was incredibly vicious once mastered, it was impossible for it to enter the sights of a Great Heavenly Rank expert.

If it wasn't the Thousand Corpse Ten Thousand Poison Palm, could it be the Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art?

Thinking of this, Chang Haoling's expression turned somewhat strange.

The Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art was actually a dual-cultivation technique that he and his sister had obtained by chance. While it wasn't some peerless martial art, it was a very peculiar one.

The Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art not only allowed both practitioners to greatly increase their internal energy, but could also be used to heal wounds, transfer energy, and even absorb the internal energy and life essence of others.

As long as the essence and internal energy had not completely dissipated, this technique could even absorb the essence and internal energy of the dead!

...With so many unique functions, the Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art was indeed a marvelous skill.

Chang Haoling became increasingly certain that the mysterious man wanted the Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art, so he could only bear the pain of parting with it. He pulled the manual from his bosom, held it up with both hands, and respectfully offered it to Zhu Youning.

Zhu Youning did not reach out to take it himself; he merely gestured slightly, and the manual flew through the air into his hand.

This display of telekinesis left Chang Haoling stunned, further confirming in his heart that this person was a Great Heavenly Rank expert.

However, most Great Heavenly Rank experts in this world were well-known, and the majority hailed from the Xuanming Cult, Tongwen Hall, or Huan Yin Workshop. Where on earth had this one popped out from?

Zhu Youning did not care much about what Chang Haoling was thinking.

At this moment, the system's notification sound had already rung out.

[Ding, detectable martial art found: Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art. Do you wish to learn the martial art: Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art?]

[Ding, you have learned the martial art: Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art.]

[Ding! Special notification. Your martial art: Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art is a special martial art. It cannot be automatically cultivated and requires the player to practice it manually.]